Best mirrorless cameras for manual focus lenses
Aug 23, 2022 16:57:27 #
Hi all.
I'm planning to rent a mirrorless camera for my next shoot. I'll be using one or two manual F-Mount primes. I'd like to hear your experiences. Which MLs have the best manual focus viewfinder assists.
TIA
I'm planning to rent a mirrorless camera for my next shoot. I'll be using one or two manual F-Mount primes. I'd like to hear your experiences. Which MLs have the best manual focus viewfinder assists.
TIA
Aug 23, 2022 18:09:46 #
OM-D... take yur pick. I use Nikon F and Minolta MC/MD on my 10.1.... Awesome Focus Peaking with it!
Aug 23, 2022 18:19:22 #
Being mirrorless, all of them have EVFs that will assist your shooting. Remember, you'll need an F-mount adapter to whatever the target mount of the mirrorless body. Rather than a concern about 'best' EVF, consider a body with IBIS - In-body image stabilization. The camera won't know the focal length, so you'll need to dial-in that focal length to the camera menu to get the proper stabilization support.
Aug 23, 2022 23:11:26 #
I've used Sony and Olympus mirrorless cameras with great success using both the focus peaking and the magnifier. As Paul recommends, the bodies all have IBIS, which makes handholding much nicer. I have used the Nikon Micro-NIKKOR 55mm f/2.8 AI-S lens on my A6500 along with several TTartisans native E-mount manual-focus lenses. On the Olympus OM-D EM-10ii I have used a 7artisans 60mm f/2.8 macro.
While manual focusing for still subjects can be fun, and sometimes zone focusing works with purely manual lenses without contacts, it's much nicer working with lenses that have electronic contacts because they will automatically magnify the image at the focal point as I turn the focus ring. So in some ways, manually focusing with autofocus lenses is much easier.
On my Sony I have configured the IBIS focal length setting as one of the options on the function menu, which makes it really easy to access.
While manual focusing for still subjects can be fun, and sometimes zone focusing works with purely manual lenses without contacts, it's much nicer working with lenses that have electronic contacts because they will automatically magnify the image at the focal point as I turn the focus ring. So in some ways, manually focusing with autofocus lenses is much easier.
On my Sony I have configured the IBIS focal length setting as one of the options on the function menu, which makes it really easy to access.
Aug 23, 2022 23:24:58 #
yorkiebyte wrote:
OM-D... take yur pick. I use Nikon F and Minolta MC/MD on my 10.1.... Awesome Focus Peaking with it!
Terrible Idea. Extreme mismatch.
Aug 23, 2022 23:39:14 #
I adapt everything to Sony and Nikon (and sometimes to m4/3) but the best host body is almost always a full frame.
Ergonomically I prefer Sony over Nikon. Using the focus magnifier, Sony restores the full view of the scene as soon as you half press the shutter. Nikon requires pressing another button to see the full scene for final framing.
Ergonomically I prefer Sony over Nikon. Using the focus magnifier, Sony restores the full view of the scene as soon as you half press the shutter. Nikon requires pressing another button to see the full scene for final framing.
Aug 24, 2022 00:43:48 #
User ID wrote:
I adapt everything to Sony and Nikon (and sometimes to m4/3) but the best host body is almost always a full frame.
Ergonomically I prefer Sony over Nikon. Using the focus magnifier, Sony restores the full view of the scene as soon as you half press the shutter. Nikon requires pressing another button to see the full scene for final framing.
Ergonomically I prefer Sony over Nikon. Using the focus magnifier, Sony restores the full view of the scene as soon as you half press the shutter. Nikon requires pressing another button to see the full scene for final framing.
I like that aspect too. I have Sony and Olympus and Olympus also requires the user to turn it off. I really like that Sony restores the full scene with the half press. What are the other manufacturers thinking about in not doing this? It makes so much sense!
Aug 24, 2022 07:46:38 #
JimH123 wrote:
I like that aspect too. I have Sony and Olympus and Olympus also requires the user to turn it off. I really like that Sony restores the full scene with the half press. What are the other manufacturers thinking about in not doing this? It makes so much sense!
As a Sony shooter with manual focus lenses, I'd prefer the EVF did not go back automatically. I usually haven't finished the detailed focus, and then I have to tap a button to get the focus back to the details. In the cycle, one more tap to the 10x details goes back to full-screen, where to get to the details is three taps on my a7II model. To me and my usage, this is another menu / ergonomic fail from Sony.
Aug 24, 2022 09:31:44 #
Check out “Mr. Leica” on YouTube. He’s a pro photographer who uses Leica/Voigtlander manual lenses on a Leica CL.
Aug 24, 2022 09:48:09 #
Also consider whatever camera you choose will have a learning curve so maybe pick a mirrorless body to go with whatever your current camera is I assume Nikon.
Aug 24, 2022 10:32:58 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
As a Sony shooter with manual focus lenses, I'd prefer the EVF did not go back automatically. I usually haven't finished the detailed focus, and then I have to tap a button to get the focus back to the details. In the cycle, one more tap to the 10x details goes back to full-screen, where to get to the details is three taps on my a7II model. To me and my usage, this is another menu / ergonomic fail from Sony.
Then at least they should give us a choice. I happen to like it reverting back to full scene a lot.
Aug 24, 2022 10:36:26 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
As a Sony shooter with manual focus lenses, I'd prefer the EVF did not go back automatically. I usually haven't finished the detailed focus, and then I have to tap a button to get the focus back to the details. In the cycle, one more tap to the 10x details goes back to full-screen, where to get to the details is three taps on my a7II model. To me and my usage, this is another menu / ergonomic fail from Sony.
The A7R4 holds magnification until you tap the shutter button, and you can choose what level of magnification you get with the first tap.
Aug 24, 2022 11:22:22 #
User ID wrote:
Terrible Idea. Extreme mismatch.
Really? Why dat'?
Aug 24, 2022 13:39:29 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
Alphabravo2020 wrote:
Hi all.
I'm planning to rent a mirrorless camera for my next shoot. I'll be using one or two manual F-Mount primes. I'd like to hear your experiences. Which MLs have the best manual focus viewfinder assists.
TIA
I'm planning to rent a mirrorless camera for my next shoot. I'll be using one or two manual F-Mount primes. I'd like to hear your experiences. Which MLs have the best manual focus viewfinder assists.
TIA
Looking back at your previous posts, it appears you use Nikon DSLRs....
Because of that I would recommend one of the Nikon Z-series mirrorless, because you will likely feel most comfortable with it.
You have choice of full frame (FX) or crop sensor (DX) camera. There also are choices of resolution 20MP (DX) or 24MP, 46MP (FX).
Aug 24, 2022 17:55:09 #
I have set up my SonyA7C so that when I am using my Mamiya 645 lenses or Nikon F-mount lenses with dumb adapters I can use one of the programmable buttons on the camera body to activate the magnification feature. I also use the focusing assist system to give me and indication of depth-of field.
This all happened after I had used the camera for a while and as a result of experimentation. I think that the comment "terrible idea" may stem from the misgiving that if you are renting the mirrorless body, you likely will not have enough time to learn the characteristics of the camera fast enough not to be frustrated with your results.
As noted, there is the suggestion that you rent a Nikon Z-series with the FZ adapter and use your existing Nikon lenses, but you will still have to get used to the manual focusing aids that the body affords you.
Good luck - I wish you success.
This all happened after I had used the camera for a while and as a result of experimentation. I think that the comment "terrible idea" may stem from the misgiving that if you are renting the mirrorless body, you likely will not have enough time to learn the characteristics of the camera fast enough not to be frustrated with your results.
As noted, there is the suggestion that you rent a Nikon Z-series with the FZ adapter and use your existing Nikon lenses, but you will still have to get used to the manual focusing aids that the body affords you.
Good luck - I wish you success.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.